Ishmael Ashitey accused of imposing personal choice as Tema MCE

Tension is brewing among the executives of the Tema East Branch of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) over the choice of a candidate to occupy the vacant Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive position.

A section of the executives led by the constituency chairman, Nene Ofoe Teye has accused the Regional Chairman and Greater Accra Regional Minister designate, Mr Ishmael Ashitey of usurping the powers of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and imposing his personal choice as a candidate for the position of MCE.

However, Mr Ashitey has denied the allegation emphasising that he is not the appointing authority and that it was the duty of the President to select whoever he deems fit to occupy the position.

The irate constituency executives, led by the Chairman, Nene Teye at a press conference in Tema on Monday alleged that Mr Ashitey was stampeding the selection process "in total disregard of the voice of the masses, he is self-seeking, to say the least, a recipe for political instability which will disintegrate the party."

"His manipulative tactics are so glaring and we find it quite unfortunate how he is fast succeeding in manipulating some traditional figures in the constituency and the metropolis to push his disruptive agenda, the implications of which seem lost on these advisors," the constituency chairman said.

Nene Teye, flanked by other executives and scores of NPP supporters and clad in red head and arm bands, said the entire leadership of the party in Tema will not countenance acts that sought to take the mandate of the people for granted, adding "we cannot afford to douse their hope in us as a party and ignore their wishes."

According to him, they will fiercely resist the Regional Chairman and his associates and ensure that no candidate is imposed on them.

When contacted, Mr Ashitey debunked the allegation against him stressing it was only the President that has the constitutional and ultimate responsibility of selecting who becomes the MCE for the area.

He also flatly denied his non-involvement in the campaign process prior to the general elections in the Tema East Constituency.

Information available to Graphic Online indicates that 13 people have applied to contest for the vacant seat.

Among those contesting the position are Mr Charles Boateng, Tema West Constituency Chairman, Mr Solomon Sackitey, who is allegedly being sponsored by the MP, Mr Titus Glover and Mr Benjamin Nii Ashitey Armah, who contested the current MP for Tema East during NPPs primaries last year.

The Constituency Chairman, Nene Teye and his faction questioned the loyalty of one of the contenders, Mr Ashitey Armah whom they accused for campaigning against the party after he lost out in the primaries.

FLASHBACK: Mr Benjamin Ashitey Armarh, (3rd from left) one of the MCE contenders who has been accused of disloyalty joined the MP, Mr Daniel Titus Glover in one of the NPP campaign activities prior to the elections in December 2016.